Welcome! This blog follows the building, cultivating, and harvesting of the Lakewood Elementary schoolyard garden in St. Petersburg, Florida. Since January 2009, the Edible Peace Patch Project has been developing innovative community-oriented food system and nutrition educational programs in south St. Petersburg, Florida. Lakewood Elementary is the 1st school to participate in our Garden Education Program!

Edible Peace Patch Blogs

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished - Lao Tzu

Every leaf in the garden was glistening with dew this morning. The breeze cut through the stillness, and the sun burned brightly, encouraging our plants to keep thriving. At this point, the garden seems to be taking care of itself. Weeding is no longer a strenuous activity as the grass seems to have given up pushing through the mulch. Watering is still our primary task, we must feed the roots so that they may have enough energy to produce their fruits. Morning shifts have become very quiet without the children. The garden seems a little lonely without them, and us Eckerd students are missing their presence. Fortunately, the afternoon shifts still have classes, so at least some kids are able to enjoy what we've built for them. There are so many plants producing right now: cucumbers, zucchini, okra, spinach, swiss chard, kale, watermelon, arugula, green beans, peas, and soon the peppers, sweet potatoes and tomatoes will be too. There is something deeply satisfying about seeing the tiny, seemingly lifeless seed you placed in the soil become something so big, edible and tasty! I can't wait for the nasturtiums to bud, there's nothing like a spicy flower in the morning. The semester is coming to a close, and so spending as much time as possible in the garden seems like the best thing to do. I sure will miss all the colors and the delicious smells over winter break.

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About The Edible Peace Patch

is one of two schoolyard gardens run by The Edible Peace Patch Project in St. Petersburg, Florida. This project was developed to set a standard for experiential education as well as provide valuable mentoring opportunities for undergraduate students in St. Petersburg, and to provide academic support and collaborative experiential learning to students in south Pinellas County.